Early America Dbq

In early America, colonists from every walk of life left their homes in hopes of bettering their lives. This led to a variety of differing and unique perspectives on issues of the day. In the seventeenth century, several key factors seemed to drive a wedge among the population. These factors include slavery, women’s roles in the community, Native Americans, and implications of increased trade. All of these issues contributed to conflict throughout the colonies. Slavery began soon after the English landed in America. During the early years, slavery existed alongside indentured servitude. As the colonies expanded, some colonists attempted to enslave the native population. After little success, colonists increased the number of slaves

The Dutch allowed women more rights compared to the English, and such became evident following the surrender of New Amsterdam to the English. Women who were once able to own land and conduct business under Dutch rule could no longer do such things under the English. Women were still a major minority in the colonies, and in some circumstances, were more akin to property than anything else. Women worked primarily in the home, and were expected to help populate the new continent by giving birth to as many children as possible. Needless to say, the roles of American women in the seventeenth century, while possibly more liberal than the English mainland, were not ideal and tended to be very

The Spanish, and English each had own their motivations to settle the new colonies. Although diverse, consistencies can be seen with regard to specific nations and their individual motivations behind the colonization of America. With its diverse landscape and virtually untapped resources, America stood as both a beacon of prosperity and a landscape of challenges needing to be overcome. Originally, the Spanish set their sights on America as a source of wealth. Precious metals were discovered in Central and South America, and this promised to raise Spain to become the richest of the European nations. Conquistadors were often brutal to locals, and pushed forward under the guise of spreading Catholicism to the the uncivilized natives. Colonies were established by the Spanish, but most colonists were men. The colonies were not intended to be permanently settled, and were more of trading outposts than active villages. Conquistadors frequently returned to Spain with their caches of riches, and returned of future expeditions. In a sense, the Spanish prioritized the collection of natural resources for itself, and until tobacco became a major trade item, remained the focus of its presence in America. Plantations were constructed in the Caribbean, and slaves were imported from Africa rather than populated by Spanish